Sunshine Club hosts annual fundraiser

Posted:
05/11/2014 07:34:10 PM MDT

Updated:
05/11/2014 07:35:57 PM MDT

One of the community's longest running benefit events - the annual Sunshine Club tea - will be held from 10 a. m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at the home of Wally Grant, Longmont attorney, at 423 Bowen Street. The Sunshine Club tea has been a community tradition for more than 60 years.

The sale of home made food items by Sunshine Club members benefits the club's major activity, which is assisting children in need to receive dental care. This work is done in partnership with the dentists of Longmont and the St. Vrain Valley School District.

"Please join us for tea and sweet and savory treats from the tea table, music, door prizes, and the Sunshine Club's legendary sale of soups, casseroles, and baked goods," said Dale Bernard, Sunshine Club president.

There is no admission charge but donations are welcome to benefit local children with preventive and urgent dental needs.

The home at 423 Bowen Street was built in 1915. For decades, the American Craftsman house was home to Grant's grandfather, Charles Miller, and many years after that to his aunt and uncle, Fern and Vic Wikstrand. Both Fern and Wally's mother, Helen Grant, were long-time members of the Sunshine club.

Formed in February 1902, the Sunshine Club is Longmont's oldest continuous philanthropic organization. During the early decades, the group addressed a variety of community needs, but during the 1930's, the school nurse at one school reported that 78 percent of the students there needed dental work.

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"And the club found the philanthropic focus they would follow for the next eight decades," Bernard said.

The Sunshine Club sponsors dental screening clinics in elementary schools. Dentists donate their time and expertise to screen students who have not been seen by a dentist in the past 12 months.

Those who are judged in need of urgent care or in need of sealants are urged to make appointments with participating dentists (who often offer their services at discount rates) and the Sunshine club covers costs where necessary. In 2014, screening clinics were held in 29 schools. About 470 children who had not seen a dentist in the past year were screened and 131 students were identified as needing urgent dental care or sealants.

Before the tea became a tradition, the Sunshine Club sponsored different activities to raise funds for its work. In 1902, this work started with sewing handkerchiefs and this evolved into Mother's Day programs dress balls, fairs and plays.

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